Thursday, January 27, 2005

The Two Almighties

But no, the Two Almighties are "Almighty God" and the "Almighty Dollar."

Yep, the "Guy Upstairs" and the Dollar Lama.

So do piety and affluence make for heaven on Earth? Shouldn't "almighty" things do that? It's this life we're surfing for, hoping to get it right - spend it wisely.

It occurs to me that the Two Almighties are related to our abilities to be healthy, wealthy and wise - maybe not as most suspect, believe and even insist.

Healthy? Is going for Pie in the Sky really a mature, modern thing to do? Modernity too much for you? The scientific method just not as catchy as superstition?

And wealthy? All of our attention to the Almighty Dollar seems to have created a lot of wealth (though real wealth is still tied more closely, I'd say, to creativity, not yuppie striving). No not wealthy, really, but in debt - and indebted to the Big Corporations that run Heaven (and our heavenly desires) these days.

Ah books, one of my addictions. Yes, a biblioholic, I'll admit. And yes, I do own a few THOUSAND books I haven't read! (I've spent many an escapist hour and indebted dollar at Half Price Books and a slew of other bookstores especially suited to rather aimless wandering (though lately I inevitably head to three sections first: relationships, self-help, and psychology.

BUT I have weeded out hundreds in the last few years. I want those books to get read by someone. Every book deserves an active and attentive home!

About Me

"A Better Nation" is home to Lawrence's political punditry, cultural commentary, and personal essays.
Lawrence holds a master's degree in American Civilization (interdisciplinary cultural history) from the University of Texas at Austin, has served as a research assistant for history texts and a PBS television series, and has directed scores of adventure travel tours across the U.S. All content Copyright Lawrence Walker, 2004-2009.